To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the (a) feasibility and (b) cost of engineering and water management work required to introduce fluoridated water to areas; and if he will make a statement. (190534)

Feasibility varies between localities depending upon the coverage of the water distribution system and any technical constraints it imposes. For a strategic health authority with an average population of 5 million we estimate the capital costs of the water plant would be in the range of £15 million to £25 million and the recurrent costs of the operation of the plant and the fluoride chemicals around 80 pence per head of population per year. This compares to some £40 per person currently spent each year on national health service primary care dental services.